13 Oct 2006

Cooks foreign minister in talks in Tahiti

2:47 pm on 13 October 2006

The Cook Islands foreign and tourism minister Wilkie Rasmussen is having talks in Papeete this week with French Polynesian leaders.

The Cook Islands Herald reports that Mr Rasmussen wants to enhance recent efforts to try and establish a closer economic relationship.

Mr Rasmussen told the paper he would meet President Oscar Temaru and also discuss marine resource related issues with other government ministers.

The talks on fishing will cover the possibility of Tahitian vessels undertaking loin fishing, retaining their by-catch, chilling it and off loading it in the Cook Islands.

Mr Rasmussen says French Polynesia's desire to become a fully fledged member of the Pacific Islands Forum will also be raised.